The navigational prowess of
"the most famous reindeer of all" will again illuminate Santa Claus'
way into the Christmas season, on a rebroadcast of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed
Reindeer," Tuesday, Dec. 4 (8 p.m.), on the CBS Television Network.

(Originally broadcast on CBS Dec.
8, 1972, after an eight-year run on another network.)

The special, narrated by Burl
Ives, who is also heard as the voice of Sam the Snowman, is a musical story based
on the popular song of the same title by Johnny Marks. It recounts the tale of
a shy reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny nose has
made him the laughing stock of all Christmasville.

Pursued by an Abominable Snow Monster,
inhabitants of Christmasville flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic
wilderness where Yukon Cornelius, a prospector they meet along the way, comes
to their rescue. Returning to Christmasville, they learn that bad weather may
cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph's headlight - his illuminated nose -
saves the "foggy Christmas Eve" by serving as a beacon to guide
Santa's sleigh.

Marks composed seven additional
songs for the special: "Holly Jolly Christmas," "Silver and Gold,"
"We Are Santa's Elves," "We're a Couple of Misfits,"
"Jingle Jingle Jingle," "There's Always Tomorrow" and
"The Most Wonderful Day of the Year." Two musical numbers in the
beloved classic were restored to their original form in the remastered version.
Now included is the full-length rendition of the song "We Are Santa's
Elves." The second enhanced number is "We're a Couple of
Misfits," a duet between Rudolph and his newfound friend, Hermey the Elf.

Over the years, fading and
degeneration of the print had caused it to take on a reddish hue that differs
significantly from the bluer tones and starker contrasts of the original. This
color-corrected version from 1998 allows a new generation of television viewers
to appreciate the special's original visual texture and rich palette of colors.
Santa's elves have their blue suits back after years of wearing faded green.

Golden Books completed the scene
restorations and color correction process for "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer".
The special was produced by "Animagic" pioneers Arthur Rankin Jr. and
Jules Bass and directed by Larry Roemer. Romeo Muller wrote the television
adaptation from a story by Robert L. May.

Other highlights on CBS this holiday season include:

•"The Flight Before Christmas": An animated holiday special
about a young reindeer with ambitions of becoming an expert flyer like his
father features the voices of Emma Roberts ("Hotel for Dogs") and
comedian Norm MacDonald ("Saturday Night Live"). Airing Saturday, Dec. 8, at 9 p.m.

•"Yes, Virginia": This animated special is based on the 1897
true story of Virginia O'Hanlon, an 8-year-old girl who inspired the most
famous newspaper editorial of all time by asking, "Is there a Santa
Claus?" Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Alfred Molina voice
key characters. Beatrice Miller ("Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs")
voices the role of Virginia. Airing Friday,
Dec. 14, at 9 p.m.

•"The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story": This animated
feature, based on the best-selling holiday children's book, "The Elf on the
Shelf," follows one of the many scout elves from the North Pole who helps Santa
Claus determine who to put on the naughty and nice lists. Airing Friday, Dec. 14, at 9:30 p.m.

•"Elf": Will Ferrell, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen star
in this comedy about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole who is sent to
New York in search of his true identity. Airing
Saturday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m.